Objective To examine whether neonate′s cord blood T-lymphocytes is related to infant temperament.Methods Twenty-five healthy babies were randomly chosen in Changsha from Jul.2005 to Aug.2005 and their cord blood was drown when they were born. CD4+ and CD8+ counts, CD4+%, CD8+%, CD4+/ CD8+ratios were obtained using flow cytometry analysis. Infant temperament were measured after 1-4 months( mean age 2.52 months) with parent response to carey revised infant temperament questionnaire(EITQ/RITQ) administered.Results The percentage of CD4+ T-cell subsets to total lymphocytes correlated negatively with persistence scores (r=-0.43 P=0.033). However, CD8+%, CD8+ and CD4+ counts, CD4+/ CD8+ ratios were not correlated with temperament traits.Conclusions The lower CD4 %, the better infants' persistence.

Objective To investigate the protective effect and cytosolic phospholipase A2 (cPLA2) associated mechanism of panax notoginseng saponins (PNS) in spinal cord hemisection injured rats. Methods 55 adult Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups: sham group (n=5), spinal cord injury group (n=25) and PNS group (n=25). The rats were evaluated with BBB score, pathology and immunohistochemistry 1 d, 3 d, 7 d, 14 d and 21 d after intervention. Results Compared to the spinal cord injury group, motor recovery was significantly better in PNS group 3 d, 7 d, 14 d and 21 d after intervention (P<0.05). Nissl staining showed less neuron necrosis and more integrated neural cells in morphology in PNS group 7 d, 14 d and 21 d after intervention. Cytosolic phospholipase A2 (cPLA2) expression was inhabited, and less number of positive cells were found in PNS group 7 d, 14 d and 21 d after intervention. Conclusion PNS can inhibit the expression of cPLA2 after spinal cord injury, which may be one of the mechanisms of its effect on promoting motor recovery.

BACKGROUND:Calcium sulfate used in kyphoplasty and vertebrolplasty has good physical and chemical properties, exerts no toxic effects on human body and has the degradation performance. But its main drawback is rapid degradation.
OBJECTIVE:To develop a chitosan microsphere with silk fibroin/calcium sulfate cement to prepare drug carrier system.
METHODS:Chitosan microspheres were prepared by the emulsion method. Scanning electron microscopy, particle size analysis and swel ing rate were used to study the properties of the microspheres. Different silk concentrations (3%, 6%and 9%) and weight rates (0.5%,1%and 5%) of chitosan microspheres were used to determine the best formula which has the strongest mechanical properties. The composition of this composite bone cement was detected by using X-ray diffraction and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:When the concentration of silk fibroin was 6%and weight rate of chitosan microspheres was 0.5%, we could obtain the maximum compressive strength, which was (39.17±1.96) MPa. With this composition, the initial setting time was (12.99±1.63) minutes and the final setting time was (21.55±0.54) minutes. The results from X-ray diffraction and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy demonstrated that the main phase composition was calcium sulfate, and silk and chitosan were also included. The composite chitosan microspheres exhibited a slightly wrinkled surface, but were stil intact in spherical shape, indicating the preparation of chitosan microspheres/silk fibroin/calcium sulfate cement was reliable and the product had good structures and properties.

BACKGROUND:With excelent biocompatibility and osteoconduction, calcium phosphate bone cement has been used in clinic, but the poor mechanical properties and lack of osteoinduction restrict its further use. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the cytocompatibility and cytotoxicity of a novel drug-carrying composite of bone cement composed of chitosan microsphere, α-tricalcium phosphate and silk fibroin. METHODS:MC3T3-E1 cels were cultured in vitroin minimum essential medium alpha medium (α-MEM), which was supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum, and 1% streptomycin sulfate, extract of the cement material at concentrations of 100% and 50%, and 6.4 mL/L phenol. 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay was used to measure cellproliferation and the cytotoxicity was assessed by the activity of lactate dehydrogenase. The MC3T3-E1 cels culturedin vitro were colected and seeded on the composite cement material, and cellmorphology was observed by scanning electron microscope. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The extract of composite cement material had no influences on the MC3T3-E1 cellproliferation, showing no obvious cytotoxicity. The scanning electron microscope image showed MC3T3-E1 cels adhered and proliferated wel on the composite cement material composed of chitosan microsphere, α-tricalcium phosphate and silk fibroin, and pseudopodia out of the cels were closely attached to the material surface. In conclusion, the cement composite was proved to have satisfactory cytocompatibility and no obvious cytotoxicity.

Objective To investigate the protective effect and associated mechanism of PNS in spinal cord hemisection injury.Methods fifty-five adult SD rats were randomly divided into three groups,sham group(n =5),spinal cord injury group(n =25),PNS group(n =25).The rats were evaluated in behavioral test with BBB score,pathology and immunohistochemistry at 1 d,3d,7d,14d,21d after the procedures.Results Motor recovery was significantly better in PNS group than the spinal cord injury group at 3d,7d,14d and 21d.Nissl staining showed less neuron necrosis and more integrated neural cells in morphology.cPLA2 expression was inhabited in PNS group,and less number of positive cells were found in the group.Conclusion PNS can inhibit the expression of cPLA2 after spinal cord injury,which may be one of the mechanisms of its effect on promoting motor recovery.

BACKGROUND:Calcium phosphate cements (CPCs) possess the bio-degradation and osteoconduction, and its final hydration product, hydroxyapatite, is the main inorganic constituent of bones. However, its poor mechanical property makes it unable to be used for repairing weight-bearing bone defects. OBJECTIVE:To develop a kind of bioactive bone cements with decent biomechanical property and biocompatibility. METHODS:6%silk fibroin aqueous solutions containing different concentrations of N-acetylcysteine (0, 10 and 25 mmol/L) were prepared. Each cement sample was prepared by mixing the curing liquid andα-tricalcium phosphate powder with the ratio of 0.4 mL:1 g;α-tricalcium phosphate powder mixed with ddH2O as control group. The compressive strength, setting time of the cements were measured. The crystal components of the cements were characterized using X-ray diffraction and the microstructure was observed using scanning electron microscope. MC3T3-E1 cel s were seeded onto the material in each group, and cel morphology was observed under scanning electron microscope at 24 hours. MC3T3-E1 cel s were cultured in the extract of each material, cel proliferation was detected at 1, 3, 5 and 7 days, and the lactate dehydrogenase level was detected at 1 and 3 days. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscope showed that the final hydration products ofα-tricalcium phosphate in al specimens were hydroxyapatite. When the concentration of N-acetylcysteine was 25 mmol/L, the compressive strength of the material reached (49.39±1.68) MPa, with the initial setting time of (21.77±1.07) minutes and the final setting time of (31.88±1.69) minutes. There was no significant difference in cel morphology among cements. These results suggest that the cement containing N-acetylcysteine exhibites good biocompatibility and high mechanical strength.

BACKGROUND:Calcium phosphate bone cement has been applied to clinical surgery because of its good biocompatibility and osteoconduction. However poor mechanical properties and lack of osteoinductivity limit its wide application.
OBJECTIVE:To develop calcium phosphate cement incorporated with N-acetylcysteine (NAC) loaded silk fibroin microspheres (SFM), which is a kind of new injectable bone graft material with slow-release function, and evaluate its physical and chemical properties and cel compatibility.
METHODS: Empty SFMs were prepared with emulsion solvent evaporation to absorb NAC solution of different concentrations by NAC-SFM and the concentration of NAC at the maximum drug loading ratio was determined. Then, NAC-SFM was loaded into calcium phosphate bone cement to test the drug release propertiesin vitro. MC3T3-E1 osteoblasts were cultured on the surface of NAC-SFM calcium phosphate bone cement and cel attachment and growth were observed by scanning electron microscope. Additionaly, MC3T3-E1 cels were cultured with three kinds of bone cement extracts (calcium phosphate cement, SFM-calcium phosphate cement, NAC-SFM-calcium phosphate cement, as wel as cultured in theα-minimum essential medium containing a volume fraction of 10% fetal bovine serum and 1% penicilin-streptomycin double antibody as the control. MTS assay was used to evaluate cel proliferation.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Microspheres in the composite bone cement presented with smooth surface, same size, diffused distribution and no obvious destroy. Thus, the SFM could remain stable in the reaction process of the composite bone cement. The double slow release system which contained silk fibroin microspheres and calcium phosphate bone cement showed a significant decrease in the cumulative release percentage of NAC within the first 24 hours compared with the control group (P < 0.05). In the next 28 days, the release speed of NAC was significantly lower in the NAC-SFM-calcium phosphate cement group than the calcium phosphate cement group (P< 0.05). In addition, different extracts had no significant cytotoxicity to the growth of MC3TC-E1 cels. Thus, the NAC-SFM-calcium phosphate cement has good cytocompatibility, which provide a new insight into the development of bone repair biomaterials.

AIM To explore the effects of Xuebijing Injection (Carthami Flos,Salviae miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma,Paeoniae Radix Rubra,etc.) on serum CRP,TNF-α and IL-6 levels in patients with severe acute organophosphorus pesticide poisoning (AOPP).METHODS Seventy-two cases of patients with AOPP treated from Jan 2014 to Mar 2016 in the emergency department of our hospital were randomly divided into two groups,the control group treated with atropine,pralidoxime chloride and conventional treatment,and the observation group combined with Xuebijing Injection.The dynamic changes of serum CRP,TNF-α and IL-6 levels,and clinical curative effects were compared between the two groups.RESULTS The serum CRP,TNF-α and IL-6 levels in the two groups were decreased in turn before the treatment,at the 3rd,7th days after the treatment,and the serum CRP,TNF-α and IL-6 levels in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group;the dosage of atropine,time of cholinesterase activity recovered 60％ and hospital stay in the observation group were significantly less than those in the control group;the rebound rate of the observation group was lower than that of the control group.The acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) rate in the observation group was significantly lower than that in the control group.All the differences had statistical significances (P ＜ 0.05).CONCLUSION Xuebijing Injection can effectively inhibit the inflammatory response,reduce the incidence of complications,shorten the course,and improve the clinical efficacy in the treatment of patients with AOPP.

Objective To study the potency of transdifferentiated renal tubular epithelial cells for acquiring the tissue stem cells during renal fibrosis.Methods The in vitro cellular model of renal tubular epithelial cells(NRK-52E)transdifferentiation under the inflammatory environment of the local renin-angiotensin (AngⅡ)system was established.The expression and change situation of the embryonic kidney developmental gene Pax2 and the tissue stem cell surface marker CD133 were observed.Results Local high concentration of AngⅡcould stimulate the NRK-52E cells to express Pax2 and CD133 molecule,its effect demonstrated the dose-and time-dependent relation.Conclusion The inflammatory damage leads to the transdifferentiated renal tubular epithelial cells po-tency to acquire the tissue stem cell.

OBJECTIVETo investigate whether there is an association between DRD2/ANKK1 Taq IA polymorphism and early infant temperament.

METHODSDRD2/ANKK1 Taq IA polymorphism (rs1800497) was determined using polymerase chain reaction-ligase detection reaction (PCR-LDR) techniques in 149 Chinese Han infants from Changsha City. Their mothers were asked to complete the Early Infant Temperament Questionnaires (EITQ) when the infants were 1 to 4 months old (mean: 2.75 months). There were three genotypes found in these infants: C/C, T/T and C/T. The subjects were subdivided into T-carrier (CT, TT) and non-T-carrier (CC) groups for statistical analysis.

RESULTSThere were no differences in the temperament style distribution between the T-carrier and non-T carrier groups. There were also no statistically significant differences between the two groups in the score of the nine temperament dimensions.

CONCLUSIONSDRD2/ANKK1 Taq IA polymorphism is not associated with early infant temperament.